Find out where DC has been in the news this month and what's new with the marketing team.
Destination DC's (DDC) marketing and communications strategy supports economic development through tourism by reaching potential visitors and inspiring them to travel to the nation’s capital. The current cross-channel promotional efforts are focused on fall travel across editorial and content development.
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Media Coverage
Domestic
DDC’s Travel Rally and press release announcing record-setting visitation, economic impact and benefits to city taxpayers are covered extensively by Axios, ABC 7, FOX 5, WUSA 9, Washington Business Journal, FOX 5 and others. AAA praises DC for leading the way in accessibility, Forbes features the wave of Black-owned restaurant openings, USA Today spotlights the booming rooftop scene and Love, Inc. highlights DC as an LGBTQ+ honeymoon destination. Ahead of WorldPride, Thrillist emphasizes DC’s inclusive nature, while The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Washingtonian and NBC 4 are among the outlets to offer comprehensive guides.
International
WorldPride 2025 was promoted across several international publications including Canada’s The Globe & Mail, Mexico’s Reforma and Brazil’s Viagem e Turismo. International visitor interest in attending WorldPride was all the rage for the Australia, German and UK markets, including coverage in top publications like Gay Star News, DIVA Magazine and Wanderlust. The India market focused on top dining with articles in Conde Nast Traveller and India Blooms. Brazil’s Qual Viagem covered DC’s vibrant art street scene, and the Nationals 20th anniversary was highlighted in Mexico’s Travel&News.
Trade
Trade supported IMEX Frankfurt with press outreach and coverage in Exhibitor News and Travel Daily News. New and renovated hotels and venues were spotlighted in BizBash's Spring Venue and Supplier Guide and Prevue magazine. DDC's Sustainability District members were profiled in the May issue of Smart Meetings. Washington, DC was included in coverage of family-friendly meeting destinations in Corporate and Incentive Travel.
Marketing Highlights
The District Blog
DDC's content team has launched The District Blog, a new content hub designed to drive visitation by making DC’s attractions and experiences more discoverable and engaging than ever before. The blog surfaces a wide variety of inspirational content – from popular listicles to niche articles – organized by interest categories like Shopping, Museums, Food & Drink and Family-Friendly. The setup allows potential travelers to stumble upon new ideas, explore by passion and easily dive deeper into related experiences, creating a "rabbit hole" effect that keeps them excited about visiting DC. The team will gather insights from user behavior to better tailor content to inspire future visitors.
WorldPride DC 2025
With the celebration slated for May 17 through June 8, DDC is in the final stages of preparation for WorldPride. A content hub welcomes potential visitors with a range of articles, from the event-focused to the inspirational and informational. Support also includes promotion of the global celebration across all channels, including advertising and social media. DDC's communications and social teams plan to host approximately 40 journalists and influencers across the multi-week extravaganza.
Social Highlights
Leisure:
- Top Liked Post: WMATA’s Pride Metro train has arrived
- Celebrating Spring: April showers brought May flowers, flower calendar, U.S. National Arboretum, kayaking at Key Bridge Boathouse, Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens
- Family & Community: Ideas for Mother’s Day, International Day of Families, farmers markets, food halls, DC’s local stores, Memorial Day Weekend content, Things To Do Guides
- Arts & Culture: Taste of Pride, counted down to WorldPride, International Museum Day, what not to miss near Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Darth Vader Grotesque, the top of the Washington Monument, Old Post Office Tower
- Food & Beverage: Rooftop bar recommendations, bagel roundup, National Wine Day
- Content Creators: WorldPride bar recommendations, need-to-know about WorldPride, a WorldPride wedding!
Industry:
- Record-breaking visitation in 2024
- NFL Draft coming to DC in 2027
- Elliott Ferguson joined the Board of Directors at ASAE
- Newly launched District Blog
- AEF awarded 37 deserving students with scholarships
- Member Spotlights
- DC welcomed Nutanix, the Association for Talent Development and National Association of Realtors to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center – and WorldPride to the nation’s capital.
